East of Pape’ete is this elegant hotel on a black-sand beach lined with almond trees and fronted with Mo’orea views. The exterior of the hotel looks like a common apartment block but once you enter the minimalist-chic lobby things get much better.
Le Méridien has truly lovely grounds dotted with lily ponds and fronted by a natural white-sand beach that has Mo’orea views – if you want a resort where you can swim in the lagoon this is your best bet.
Hands down, this is the best luxury resort on the island. The Intercontinental (formerly Beachcomber) is as posh as Tahiti gets.
Right on the beach and a fabulous bargain, you’ll have to book way in advance to get a bed here. Breakfast is included, and there are kitchen facilities and a friendly atmosphere.
Run by a young, friendly French couple, this lively place has a low-key backpacker vibe and is deservedly popular with young travellers. It’s on the mountain side of the main road in Pa’ea, about 200m from the white-sand beach.
Clean bungalows with attached bath have a few Polynesian touches like woven pandanus walls and appliqué bedspreads. All this graces a little white sand beach.
Very Tahitian Ma and Pa–style place with good bungalows.
Great for families, with a communal kitchen and beach access.
Ten minutes by boat from the Teahupoo pier, this option is in the middle of a magnificent coconut and fruit tree grove beside the lagoon and oozes tranquillity.
The only budget option in town with a pool, this place is a real bargain. Rooms are big, bright and tiled and the best ones have sliding doors and small terraces. The cheapest rooms have shared bathroom and no air-con.
With prices that nudge it into the midrange category, this resort is one of the better deals on the island.
It’s a little depressing but cheap and sort of central. Rooms have private bathrooms and air-con while the dorm room has six beds. The shared kitchen is a plus.
This place is up a steep driveway on a mini plateau with vast views of the lagoon, surf, village and myriad island colours.
Bonjouir is a nature-lover’s paradise – it’s surrounded by walks to waterfalls, swimming holes and caves and fronted by the clear lagoon. Accommodation is nothing fancy but is comfortable enough and has Tahitian flair.
Clean and with pretty hardwood floors and colourful Polynesian bedspreads, this is one of the city’s better midrange bets. Central to the quay and market, it also has a highly recommended restaurant attached.
Four sparkling concrete bungalows – all with mini-kitchens – nestle in a magnificent tropical garden complete with spectacular waterfall and natural bathing pool. Across the road there is a small black-sand beach for swimming.
This clean hotel overlooks the water in the hub of Pape’ete, but sadly is afflicted by the noise of traffic. A somewhat kitschy favourite with tour groups, it has a restaurant and excursion desk.
Despite its complete lack of beach, the Sheraton is a lovely place for a short stay.
Right across from Faa’a international airport this would appear to be the most convenient place to stay for a quick stopover, but there’s no shuttle so you have to drag your luggage across the parking lot then up the short but sometimes muddy hil.
Sparkling clean, tiny and friendly, Chez Myrna has simple rooms with breakfast included and there’s an on-site snack bar and laundry services. No credit cards.
Impeccably clean bungalows set around a well-tended garden make this lagoonside spot in Papara a great option. There is no beach, but there is a pontoon for swimming and a small swimming pool. Bicycles, pirogues and kayaks can be rented.
A sumptuous, yet practical option, this place sets the standard for Tahitian luxury. If you only have a night or two on Tahiti, staying here is worth a splurge.
Well off the tourist track but in one of the nicer beach areas on Mo'orea, Fare Maeva has an artistic, beachy charm. You can't beat the price for a bungalow with attached bath and a fully- equipped kitchen plus a cute little terrace area.
Mix it up with the surfing crowd that likes to stay in this garden camping area. You can camp, stay in a stylish dorm/cabin or rent out a whole bungalow.
